Review – Queen of Freedom: Defending Jamaica by Catherine Johnson
“Queen of Freedom” revives Queen Nanny’s story, highlighting her pivotal role in the Maroons’ fight for liberty in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains.
Tagged: Teen & YA
Review – How To Talk So People Will Listen by Lizzie Waterworth
Master confident speaking with L. Waterworth’s “How to Talk so People Will Listen.” Engaging advice for all ages, narrated by the author herself.
Review – Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Every Heart a Doorway was far too short because the interesting elements weren’t detailed enough and the pacing wasn’t great. All of a sudden we’re in a mystery, two minutes later the teen detectives have solved the case and we’re happy ever after for the ones who aren’t dead.
Review – The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
The Bone Shard Daughter is a satisfying though wanting end to a novel on human experience. What makes us human? Are humans made or born? Indentured servitude or slavery, is one worst or better? What is the alternative? Is it acceptable to do unacceptable things for the greater good? Who defines the greater good?
Plus there’s magic, mystery, and fantasy
Review – What Can I Say? by Catherine Newman
What Can I Say? is a self help book suitable for all ages, abilities and confidence levels.
Even if you’re the most clued up person socially or struggle 1:1 or in groups, you will gain something from reading a chapter or two.
Review – Kissing Emma by Shappi Khorsandi
Kissing Emma is an accurate and disheartening representation of current stories you hear time and time again in the news: young people caught up in a spiral of poverty, addiction and/or domestic violence with very few positive options to escape. These shouldn’t be familiar stories, we shouldn’t be desensitised, but we are.
Review – Forget Me Not by Elle Terry
Calli is on her 10th new school because her mom ups and leaves town when romantic relationships ends. If that wasn’t enough to contend with Calli has Tourette syndrome. She longs for a friend and somewhere to call home.
Heartfelt, powerful, insightful and just packed full of emotion. This YA read was more than just the turmoil of the teenage years.
Review – Godless by Derek Porterfield
Godless by Derek Porterfield, picks up directly where Book 1 of the Mute Cat Chronicles ended. We pause for a moment and then are flung back into this ripping yarn about resistance in a techno-religious city. When power corrupts who will take a stand?
Review – High-Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
Teen sister detectives solve a murder mystery on their high rise London housing estate. Good plot, great characters, fantastic representation and excellent narration. Recommended.
Review – Dark Blue Rising by Teri Terry
Dark Blue Rising is a mystery wrap up as a young adult read. Why is Tabby’s past an enigma, why is she so drawn to the sea and what does the future hold when secrets are revealed.
